Enniskilllens 3rd Battalion entertained the Armagh ‘Dream Team’ on Saturday seeking revenge after a controversial defeat at the Palace Showgrounds a few weeks previous.
After a good pre match build up from Enniskillen, it was Armagh however who started the stronger, and after a spell in the driving seat, opened the scoring with a kick in front of the posts.
Enniskillen got their act together and after their 1st visit to the oppostion 22 were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Keith Hurst easily despatched.
This buoyed the home side and not long after Jimmy Moore crashed over in the corner after good work in the pack and simple but effective backline moves. The ‘Skins pack were in the asscendancy, and the front row of Adam Breen, James Prenter and David Irvine stole at least 6 balls against the head facing a heavier and more experienced front row.
With a breeze at their back skins were in total control, and despite several lacks of discipline, scored again in the opposite corner. Good forward play again seen Ross Duncan doing what he does best, crashing the ball into the heart of the opposition, and a clever off load seen the outstanding Robert Murray scamper into the corner, Hurst made a superb conversion.
Murray added a second before the break, after superb support play, took another off load, and raced clear and touched down, leaving Hurst a simple conversion to the right of the sticks
The half time whistle came with both sides reduced to 14 men after the Armagh scrum half used his boot in an unsporting manner, which a Skins player reacted to, however the hosts were going well.
After the break, the referee’s judgement on scrummaging was harsh on the home team and a free kick in the home 22 resulted in the Chunky Armagh wing forward coasting behind the tryline after some very weak tackling.
This kicked skins into a higher gear, and once again after superb forward play, the ball was flashed wide and Norman Richmond sent Moore in for his second try of the game, which Hurst once again converted. Dave Tyson was crashing the ball up well and Richie Grey used all his experience to disrupt the visiting lineout, but the visitors once again scored after some more sloppy defence from the hosts, and Skins know if they are to challenge in the Butler Shield the will have to improve defensively, but ‘Skins held out for a super victory against a team 5 league places above them going into the match.
A good performance from all 18 men but as too often is the case, a sluggish start and verbal indiscipline can be terminal and too often ends in defeat.
